Oscillating Windmill

Abstract

An oscillating windmill having the ability to generate clean electrical power by mechanically capturing the power of the wind. The oscillating windmill utilizes a rigid mast having a plurality of rotatable vanes. The lower section of the mast is fixed about an axis allowing the mast to oscillate in response to wind resistance upon the vanes. An actuating mechanism is in communication with the mast and the vanes to rotate the vanes about an axis in response to the oscillations of the mast. These oscillations of the mast are converted into usable energy using a power generating mechanism engagable with the mast.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to an oscillating windmill, and more particularly to an oscillating windmill which oscillates in response to wind resistance for capturing and extracting useable energy.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]Wind is a source of clean, renewable energy. Utilization of wind energy reserves the earth's fossil fuels (e.g., coal, natural gas and oil) and alleviates the additional environmental impacts associated with burning fossil fuels. Wind, as a clean, efficient and abundant, never-ending resource, generates clean energy using the most up-to-date technologies available. Today, wind energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy resource in the world. Wind currently only produces a small percentage of our nation's electricity; however during the past twenty (20) years, the cost of wind energy has dropped dramatically, making it competitive with other energy sources.[0003]Wind is air in motion caused by the uneven heating of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]The oscillating windmill may also have a ballast assembly with at least one ballast element having a plurality of ballast springs and secured to a ballast cable. The ballast cable may be engaged with a ballast sheave and secured to a ballast drum. The ballast drum may be in communication with a ballast gear, which in communication with the gear wheel of the mast. The oscillation of the mast causes the ballast cable to wrap about the ballast drum resulting in restrictive movement of the ballast element against the ballast springs. The restrictive movement of the ballast element of the ballast assembly aids in counter-oscillation of the mast.

Problems solved by technology

Wind currently only produces a small percentage of our nation's electricity; however during the past twenty (20) years, the cost of wind energy has dropped dramatically, making it competitive with other energy sources.

When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade; this low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, resulting in lift and causing the rotor to turn.

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